Page 28 - CAPE Caribbean Studies Study Guide Sample_Neat
P. 28
2.10 Factors that promote or hinder
development VIII: education
Learning outcome Quality and relevance of education
On completion of this section you Education in the Caribbean is seen as an integral part of the region’s
should be able to: development. Countries that invest in education enhance their chances of
development. Adequate schools and qualified teachers result in a skilled
■ analyse the ways in which labour force, increasing quality and productivity. Access to higher education
education facilitates
development. strengthens human resources through the development of creativity,
professionalism and innovation. A good education system can:
■ help individuals to obtain knowledge and skills that can be applied in
future to generate an income
■ offer individuals access to jobs for their own betterment and to improve
their social standing by allowing them to fulfil their basic physiological
needs of food, clothing and shelter
■ provide the knowledge, skills and attitude that are required in order to be
productive in Caribbean society
■ prevent children from becoming involved in criminal activities. This is done
by instilling proper norms and teaching the value of hard work and success.
Introduction of technical and vocational subjects
Vocational education is related to the age-old apprenticeship system of
learning. Apprenticeships are designed for many different types of work from
manual trades to specialised skills. At the post-secondary level vocational
education is typically provided by an institute of technology, university or a
local community college.
Having an education may allow an individual to acquire a job, and this is
vital for poverty reduction, economic recovery and sustainable development.
Many people in the Caribbean possess some technical skill and they just need
training to develop this. Technical and vocational education and training
(TVET) is increasing worldwide. TVET comprises formal and informal
learning for the world of work. Young people gain knowledge and skills from
basic to advanced levels across a wide range of institutional and work settings
and in diverse socio-economic contexts.
There is also the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) programme. This
programme is based on competencies that are required in the workplace, from
leadership and management to specific technical skills required to carry out
operations.
The TVET and CVQ programmes are helping the workforce to make the
transition from purely academic skills to the more practical and technical skills
needed in industry, manufacturing and even information technology (IT).
Curriculum reforms
The national curriculum of a country must be applicable to the culture of
the society. Historical processes in the Caribbean have had great influence
over curricula, which were often based on those of former colonisers. After
Independence, reforms were necessary to create new, region-specific curricula
and educational policy.
74
852345_Module 2A.indd 74 04/06/2018 11:08
